Comprehensive Course Structure
The Biotechnology program at Era University Lucknow is structured over eight semesters, with a carefully balanced mix of core subjects, departmental electives, science electives, and laboratory courses. This structure ensures that students build a solid foundation in biological sciences before advancing to specialized areas.
| Semester | Course Code | Course Title | Credit Structure (L-T-P-C) | Prerequisites |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BIO-101 | Chemistry for Biotechnology | 3-1-2-4 | - |
| 1 | BIO-102 | Introduction to Biology | 3-1-2-4 | - |
| 1 | BIO-103 | Physics for Biotechnology | 3-1-2-4 | - |
| 1 | BIO-104 | Mathematics I | 3-1-2-4 | - |
| 1 | BIO-105 | Basic Laboratory Techniques | 0-0-6-3 | - |
| 2 | BIO-201 | Organic Chemistry | 3-1-2-4 | BIO-101 |
| 2 | BIO-202 | Molecular Biology | 3-1-2-4 | BIO-102 |
| 2 | BIO-203 | Cell Biology | 3-1-2-4 | BIO-102 |
| 2 | BIO-204 | Mathematics II | 3-1-2-4 | BIO-104 |
| 2 | BIO-205 | Statistics for Biotechnology | 3-1-2-4 | BIO-104 |
| 3 | BIO-301 | Genetics | 3-1-2-4 | BIO-202 |
| 3 | BIO-302 | Microbiology | 3-1-2-4 | BIO-102 |
| 3 | BIO-303 | Enzyme Technology | 3-1-2-4 | BIO-201 |
| 3 | BIO-304 | Bioprocess Engineering | 3-1-2-4 | BIO-203 |
| 3 | BIO-305 | Protein Chemistry | 3-1-2-4 | BIO-201 |
| 4 | BIO-401 | Genomics | 3-1-2-4 | BIO-301 |
| 4 | BIO-402 | Bioinformatics | 3-1-2-4 | BIO-301 |
| 4 | BIO-403 | Immunology | 3-1-2-4 | BIO-202 |
| 4 | BIO-404 | Pharmacokinetics | 3-1-2-4 | BIO-303 |
| 4 | BIO-405 | Molecular Diagnostics | 3-1-2-4 | BIO-302 |
| 5 | BIO-501 | Plant Biotechnology | 3-1-2-4 | BIO-302 |
| 5 | BIO-502 | Environmental Biotechnology | 3-1-2-4 | BIO-302 |
| 5 | BIO-503 | Stem Cell Biology | 3-1-2-4 | BIO-202 |
| 5 | BIO-504 | Synthetic Biology | 3-1-2-4 | BIO-301 |
| 5 | BIO-505 | Regulatory Science | 3-1-2-4 | BIO-404 |
| 6 | BIO-601 | Drug Design and Development | 3-1-2-4 | BIO-504 |
| 6 | BIO-602 | Bioethics | 3-1-2-4 | BIO-401 |
| 6 | BIO-603 | Bioprocessing Techniques | 3-1-2-4 | BIO-304 |
| 6 | BIO-604 | Industrial Applications of Biotechnology | 3-1-2-4 | BIO-304 |
| 6 | BIO-605 | Advanced Laboratory Techniques | 0-0-6-3 | - |
| 7 | BIO-701 | Capstone Project I | 0-0-12-8 | BIO-605 |
| 7 | BIO-702 | Research Methodology | 3-1-2-4 | BIO-502 |
| 7 | BIO-703 | Advanced Bioinformatics | 3-1-2-4 | BIO-402 |
| 7 | BIO-704 | Biotechnology in Agriculture | 3-1-2-4 | BIO-501 |
| 7 | BIO-705 | Entrepreneurship in Biotechnology | 3-1-2-4 | - |
| 8 | BIO-801 | Capstone Project II | 0-0-12-8 | BIO-701 |
| 8 | BIO-802 | Thesis Writing and Presentation | 3-1-2-4 | BIO-702 |
| 8 | BIO-803 | Industry Internship | 0-0-6-6 | - |
| 8 | BIO-804 | Professional Development | 3-1-2-4 | - |
| 8 | BIO-805 | Final Evaluation and Defense | 0-0-6-3 | - |
Advanced Departmental Elective Courses
The department offers a wide range of advanced elective courses designed to deepen students' expertise in specialized areas:
- Bioinformatics: This course covers algorithms and software tools used in analyzing biological data, focusing on sequence alignment, protein structure prediction, and genome assembly. Students learn to apply computational methods to solve complex biological problems.
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology: The curriculum explores drug discovery, development, and manufacturing processes. Topics include pharmacokinetics, formulation science, and regulatory affairs, preparing students for careers in pharmaceutical companies.
- Plant Biotechnology: This course focuses on genetic modification of crops to improve yield, disease resistance, and nutritional value. Students gain hands-on experience with transformation techniques and biotechnological applications in agriculture.
- Environmental Biotechnology: Students study the application of biological processes to address environmental issues such as pollution control, waste management, and ecosystem restoration. The course includes practical sessions on bioremediation techniques.
- Regenerative Medicine: This course delves into stem cell biology, tissue engineering, and regenerative treatments for chronic diseases. It covers both theoretical foundations and clinical applications in medicine.
- Synthetic Biology: Focused on designing and constructing new biological parts and systems, this course introduces students to the principles of synthetic biology and its potential applications in medicine, agriculture, and industry.
- Molecular Diagnostics: The course emphasizes diagnostic techniques used in molecular biology, including PCR, sequencing technologies, and immunoassays. Students learn to interpret diagnostic results and apply them in clinical settings.
- Bioprocess Engineering: This subject combines principles of engineering with biological systems to design and optimize bioprocessing operations. It includes topics like fermentation kinetics, bioreactor design, and process control.
- Computational Biology: Students explore the integration of computer science with molecular biology to understand complex biological systems. The course covers data analysis, modeling, and simulation techniques.
- Marine Biotechnology: This elective investigates marine organisms' potential for pharmaceuticals, biofuels, and industrial enzymes. It includes fieldwork and laboratory experiments on marine biodiversity and biotechnological applications.
Project-Based Learning Philosophy
The department's philosophy on project-based learning emphasizes experiential education that bridges theory and practice. Students begin engaging in mini-projects during their second year, working on real-world challenges under faculty supervision. These projects help students develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork skills.
The final-year thesis/capstone project is a comprehensive endeavor requiring students to design, execute, and evaluate an independent research study. Students select their projects in consultation with faculty mentors, ensuring alignment with their interests and career goals. The project involves literature review, hypothesis formulation, experimental design, data collection, analysis, and presentation.
Students are evaluated based on multiple criteria including project proposal, progress reports, final report, oral presentation, and peer review. The evaluation process encourages continuous improvement and fosters a culture of academic rigor. Faculty mentors provide guidance throughout the project lifecycle, ensuring that students receive personalized support and feedback.